New single-tablet HIV treatment wins FDA approval

The US Food and Drug Administration have approved a new single tablet as a complete
treatment for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in people aged 12 years and over.

The new single-tablet HIV drug contains a new form of the powerful HIV inhibitor
tenofovir.

The new treatment, called Genvoya, from Gilead Sciences, is a fixed-dose combination
of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide.

It is intended for patients aged 12 and over, weighing at least 35 kg (77 lbs) and who
have never been treated forHIV before, or for infected adults whose HIV is currently
suppressed.

The drug was tested against other HIV treatments approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in four clinical trials involving a total of 3,171 participants. Results
showed that it reduced viral loads and was comparable to other treatments.

Genvoya contains a new version of tenofovir - a powerful HIV inhibitor - that has not
been approved before. Gilead say that because the new version (called TAF) enters
cells - including HIV-infected cells - more efficiently than the previous version (TDF), it
can be given at a lower dose that results in 91% less tenofovir in the bloodstream.

The new drug was developed to reduce side effects, and the trial results show it appears
to be associated with less kidney toxicity and reductions in bone density than previously
approved drugs containing tenofovir.

Suitable for patients with moderate kidney impairment

The FDA note that while Genvoya is not recommended for patients with severe kidney
impairment, those with moderate impairment can take Genvoya.

However, the US regulator also comments that "patients receiving Genvoya experienced
greater increases in serum lipids (total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein) than
patients receiving other treatment regimens in the studies."
The drug's Boxed Warning says it can cause lactic acid to build up in the blood and lead
to severe liver problems, both of which can be fatal.

The most common side effect is nausea, and serious side effects include new or
worsening kidney problems, reduced bone mineral density, fat redistribution and
changes in the immune system.

The warning also says Genvoya should not be given with other antiretroviral drugs and
may interact with a number of commonly used medications.

Dr. Edward Cox, director of antimicrobial products in the Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research at the FDA, said on Thursday:

"Today's approval of a fixed-dose combination containing a new form of tenofovir

provides another effective, once daily complete regimen for patients with HIV-1
infection."

Estimates suggest around 1.2 million Americans aged 13 and over know they have HIV,
and more than 150,000 others are infected but do not know it. In the last 10 years, the
annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable.

HIV-1 is the predominant strain of HIV that causes the vast majority of HIV infections
worldwide. When people refer to HIV, they usually mean HIV-1.

Earlier this year, Medical News Today reported on a study that suggests drugs already
being tested for the treatment of cancer could reawaken dormant HIV in cells of
patients treated with antiretroviral drugs to allow complete eradication of the virus.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD